End plug for fiberglass tool handles

ABSTRACT

An end plug is mounted within a tool head opening to provide a smooth finished area to enhance the tool appearance and to provide an area for part number, logo or other indicia to be shown. The end plug also conceals the end of the fiberglass handle. The resilient end plug has a body portion formed complementarily to the handle receiving opening of a tool head. The plug has integral hemispherical spacers which resiliently engage the sides of the opening to hold the plug in place. The spacers extend for only half the depth of the body portion and have flat top surfaces. Potting compound is poured into the opening to bond the handle to the tool head. The potting compound flows over the top surface of the spacers and forms a layer of potting compound which permanently holds the plug in place.

United States Patent n Carmien et al.

[ END PLUG FOR FIBERGLASS TOOL HANDLES [75] Inventors: Joseph AllenCarmien, Beverly Hills;

John R. Yuhos, Van Nuys. both of Calif.

[73] Assignee: Nupla Corporation, Sun Valley,

Calif.

[22) Filed: May 28, 1974 [2]] App]. No.: 473,723

Apr. 22, 1975 Priniun hummer-Andrew V. Kundrat Alrorm'y. Agent, or FirmRobert C. C omstock [57} ABSTRACT An end plug is mounted within atool head opening to provide a smooth finished area to enhance the toolappearance and to provide an area for part number. logo or other indiciato be shown. The end plug also conceals the end of the fiberglasshandle. The resilient end plug has a body portion formed complementarilyto the handle receiving opening of a tool head. The plug has integralhemispherical spacers which resiliently engage the sides of the openingto hold the plug in place. The spacers extend for only half the depth ofthe body portion and have flat top surfaces. Potting compound is pouredinto the opening to bond the handle to the tool head. The pottingcompound flows over the top surface of the spacers and forms a layer ofpotting compound which permanently holds the plug in place.

6 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures [52] U.S. Cl 403/268; l45/29 R [51] Int. Cl.Fl6b 12/04 [58] Field of Search 403/268, 267, 266, 265, 403/10. 263;145/29 R {56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,831,202 4/l958Lay 145/29 R X 3.010.743 ll/l96l Bcngston, Jr. 403/l0 3,172,708 3/l965Rueterfors 145/29 R X f F y LI 1Q i L r Iii.

END PLUG FOR FIBERGLASS TOOL HANDLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1.Field of the Invention This invention relates to an end plug formounting within the end of a tool head opening to conceal the end of thefiberglass handle and provide a finished appearance for the tool.

2. Description of the Prior Art At the present time, fiberglass toolhandles are mounted in tool heads with the ends of the handles exposedwithin the tool head opening. The handle is customarily white or someother color which contrasts with the surrounding epoxy resin or otherpotting compound which forms the connection between the handle and toolhead. Potting, for various causes, will often sink, bubble or have apoor surface finish. The result is that the end of the tool is unsightlyand must be painted or coated so that it presents a more attractiveappearance to the purchaser. The painting and drying operations requiredadd more steps to the assembly operation, which steps require addedexpense and materials, labor, and manufacturing time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves this problem byproviding an end plug which is mounted within the tool head opening atthe time the connection between the handle and tool head is made. Theend plug is secured within the tool head opening at the same time and bythe same means used to make the connection between the handle and toolhead. More specifically, the potting compound engages the end plug insuch a manner that the plug is securely held within the end of the toolhead in overlying relationship to the end of the tool handle. The plugprovides a cosmetic finish for the tool and a location for indicia suchas a logo, patent number, part number, etc.

If the end plug is formed in a black color, it will match the color ofthe surrounding epoxy resin potting compound, which is actuallytransparent but which appears to be black because no light is passingthrough it. The end of the tool accordingly provides a finishedappearance without any secondary painting or coating of any kind.

The primary advantage and benefit provided by the invention is theelimination of the painting and drying operation which is now required.This results in a saving in time, labor and materials, thereby reducingthe cost of manufacture of the finished product. It also provides themanufacturer with the flexibility of using alternate forms of plugs withvarious data or indicia molded therein.

It is accordingly among the objects of the invention to provide an endplug for fiberglass tool handles having the advantages and benefits ofthe structure set forth above and described in further detail hereafterin this specification.

Another object of the invention is to provide an end plug for fiberglasstool handles which eliminates painting and all other finishingoperations.

A further object of the invention is to provide such an end plug whichis held in place by the epoxy resin or other material used to secure thehandle to the tool head. It is a more particular object of the inventionto provide a structure in which the end plug is formed of material whichis somewhat resilient, so that the end plug is self-held within the toolhead opening prior to completion of the attachment operation.

It is another object of the invention to provide an end plug havingmeans for compensating for minor variations in the dimensions andtolerances of the tool head opening, so that a single pre-formed plug iscapable of use with all tool head openings of the appropriateapproximate dimensions. A further object of the invention is to providesuch an end plug which is capable of being formed by molding, so that itis economic to manufacture and use.

The invention also comprises such other objects, advantages, andcapabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherentlypossessed by the invention.

While there is shown in the accompanying drawings, preferred embodimentof the invention, it should be understood that the same is susceptibleof modification and change without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the end plug;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a tool head partially broken awayand shown in section, with the end plug mounted;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the structure shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view similar to FIG. 3, with masking tapemounted on the end of the tool head;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a completed tool before removal ofthe masking tape, partly broken away and shown in section;

FIG. 7 is a end view of the completed tool shown in FIG. 6 after removalof the masking tape.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment which hasbeen selected to illustrate the invention comprises an end plug whichmay conveniently be molded and which is preferably formed of elastomericmaterial such as polyvinyl chloride or other material having suitableresilient properties.

The end plug has a substantially rectangular body portion 10 withrounded corners. Spaced around the periphery of the body portion 10 area plurality of integral spacers 11. In the embodiment shown in thedrawings, there are two spacers 11 on each end of the body portion 10and three on each side. The spacers II are substantially hemisphericalin shape, with their flat sides disposed adjacent to the sides of thebody portion I0.

The spacers 11 are only approximately half as long in vertical dimensionas the body portion I0, so that each spacer 11 is provided with a flattop surface I2 which is disposed adjacent to the vertical center of thebody portion 10.

The number of spacers l1 and their arrangement may be varied, asdesired, in accordance with the usage of a particular end plug. Thestructure shown in the drawings is adapted for use in a tool headopening which is substantially rectangular in shape, with substantiallystraight sides. Other tool head openings may have other contours and theconfiguration of the body portion and spacers of the end plug may varyaccordingly so that the end plug is complementary to the configurationof the tool head opening in which it is used.

In use, the end plug is inserted through any suitable method or meansinto the upper or outer end of a handle receiving opening 13 of a toolhead 14. The end plug is mounted so that the flat top surfaces 12 of thespacers 11 are disposed downwardly or inwardly from the end of the toolhead 14.

The end plug should preferably be dimensioned so that at least some andpreferably all of the rounded outer surfaces of the spacers 11 willfrictionally engage the inner walls of the opening 13. The spacers 11should preferably make sufficient frictional engagement to hold the bodyportion in a position wherein it extends straight across the end of theopening 13. The outer or top surface of body portion 10 shouldpreferably be flush with the end or top of the tool head 14. The spacers11 are sufficiently resilient so that they are adapted to compress andflatten where necessary to compensate for minor variations in thedimensions and tolerances of the opening 13.

After the end plug is in place within the opening 13, a piece of maskingtape is preferably adhered to the tool head 14 so that it covers theentire end of the opening 13. The masking tape 15 may also be adhered tothe top or outer surface of the body portion 10 of the end plug.

A suitable quantity of potting compound 17 of conventional type is thenpoured into the opening 13. A fiberglass tool handle 18 is then insertedinto the opening 13, with the end of the handle 18 preferably beingdisposed directly adjacent to the bottom or inner surface of the endplug.

The potting compound 17 forms a bond between the fiberglass handle 16and the metal tool head 14. The type of potting compound which iscustomarily used is epoxy resin, which will not form a chemical bondwith an elastomeric material such as polyvinyl chloride. The pottingcompound 17 does, however, flow between the spacers ll to prevent anylateral or twisting movement of the body portion 10. The pottingcompound 17 also flows over the flat top surfaces 12 of the spacers l1and forms a layer of potting compound equal to half the thickness of thebody portion 10 between the top surfaces 12 of the spacers 11 and theouter end of the tool head 14. This layer acts to hold the end plug inplace and prevent any undesired outward movement of the end plug.

After the potting compound 17 has been cured and hardened by heat and/ortime, masking tape 15 is removed. The end of the handle receivingopening 13 appears to be completely black and requires no painting orcovering operation. In addition, the exposed face of the body portion 10may carry a trademark, warning notice or other legend or indicia asindicated at 19.

I claim:

1. An end plug for fiberglass tool handles or the like of the typehaving an elongated handle mounted within the eye opening of a toolhead, said end plug comprising a body member disposed within the end ofsaid opening in transverse overlying relationship to the end of saidhandle, and potting compound disposed within said opening and engagingsaid end plug and handle to hold said end plug and handle in fixedrelationship to each other and to said tool head, said end plug havingits outer periphery formed substantially complementarily anddimensionally equal to the cross-section of the inner periphery of saidopening, the outer periphery of said end plug frictionally andresiliently engaging the inner periphery of said opening to maintainsaid end plug in place within said opening prior to the pouring of saidpotting compound, said end plug being formed of resilient material notbondable to said potting compound, said end plug having integralportions engagable with said potting compound to provide a physicalinterengagement which prevents displacement of said end plug from saidpotting compound after curing of said potting compound.

2. The structure described in claim 1, one side of said body memberbeing substantially flush with the end of said tool head. said side ofsaid body member being exposed and carrying indicia thereon.

3. The structure described in claim 1, said end plug being black, saidpotting compound when cured appearing to be black to provide uniformcoloration of the end of said tool without any coating.

4. The structure described in claim 1, said end plug comprising a bodymember having integral spacers, said spacers having flat ends disposedinwardly from the exposed end of said opening, said potting compoundbeing disposed in overlying relationship to said flat ends of saidspacers.

S. The structure described in claim 4, one side of said body memberbeing substantially flush with the end of said tool head, said side ofsaid body member being exposed and carrying indicia thereon.

6. The structure described in claim 4, said end plug being black, saidpotting compound when cured appearing to be black to provide uniformcoloration of the end of said tool without any coating.

1. An end plug for fiberglass tool handles or the like of the typehaving an elongated handle mounted within the eye opening of a toolhead, said end plug comprising a body member disposed within the end ofsaid opening in transverse overlying relationship to the end of saidhandle, and potting compound disposed within said opening and engagingsaid end plug and handle to hold said end plug and handle in fixedrelationship to each other and to said tool head, said end plug havingits outer periphery formed substantially complementarily anddimensionally equal to the cross-section of the inner periphery of saidopening, the outer periphery of said end plug frictionally andresiliently engaging the inner periphery of said opening to maintainsaid end plug in place within said opening prior to the pouring of saidpotting compound, said end plug being formed of resilient material notbondable to said potting compound, said end plug having integralportions engagable with said potting compound to provide a physicalinterengagement which prevents displacement of said end plug from saidpotting compound after curing of said potting compound.
 1. An end plugfor fiberglass tool handles or the like of the type having an elongatedhandle mounted within the eye opening of a tool head, said end plugcomprising a body member disposed within the end of said opening intransverse overlying relationship to the end of said handle, and pottingcompound disposed within said opening and engaging said end plug andhandle to hold said end plug and handle in fixed relationship to eachother and to said tool head, said end plug having its outer peripheryformed substantially complementarily and dimensionally equal to thecross-section of the inner periphery of said opening, the outerperiphery of said end plug frictionally and resiliently engaging theinner periphery of said opening to maintain said end plug in placewithin said opening prior to the pouring of said potting compound, saidend plug being formed of resilient material not bondable to said pottingcompound, said end plug having integral portions engagable with saidpotting compound to provide a physical interengagement which preventsdisplacement of said end plug from said potting compound after curing ofsaid potting compound.
 2. The structure described in claim 1, one sideof said body member being substantially flush with the end of said toolhead, said side of said body member being exposed and carrying indiciathereon.
 3. The structure described in claim 1, said end plug beingblack, said potting compound when cured appearing to be black to provideuniform coloration of the end of said tool without any coating.
 4. Thestructure described in claim 1, said end plug comprising a body memberhaving integraL spacers, said spacers having flat ends disposed inwardlyfrom the exposed end of said opening, said potting compound beingdisposed in overlying relationship to said flat ends of said spacers. 5.The structure described in claim 4, one side of said body member beingsubstantially flush with the end of said tool head, said side of saidbody member being exposed and carrying indicia thereon.